Rye Harbour Nature Reserve lies within a large triangle of land extending from Rye, along the River Rother, past Rye Harbour to the sea, westward to Winchelsea Beach and northwards along the River Brede.

It is a mosaic of habitats beside the sea with shingle, salt-marsh, sand dunes, rivers, marsh pits, grazing marsh, reed-beds and farmland.

There is a good network of footpaths that enables much of the Nature Reserve to be visited from access points in Rye Town, Winchelsea Beach and Rye Harbour.

Some of the fascinating wildlife to be seen includes Brown Hares, Marsh Frogs, Spangled Button Beetles, Medicinal Leeches, and breeding pairs of Terns, Ringed Plovers, Oystercatchers, Redshanks, Lapwings and Wheatears. There are of course many other species of birds including waders and wildfowl especially during the winter migration months.

In late May and June the Beach Reserve is carpeted with the flowers of Sea Kale, Viper’s Bugloss, Yellow Horned Poppy and Sea Pea.

The Reserve also contains historically interesting military fortifications from the 16th, 19th and 20th centuries. Camber Castle marooned in the middle of the flat landscape is a stunning sight, and a tragic lifeboat disaster is commemorated in Rye Harbour Cemetery.

Plan Your Visit

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Open

The Reserve and bird watching hides are open all year.

Admission

Free

Facilities

Car parks at Lime Kiln Cottage and Rye Harbour

Toilets at Rye Harbour

The Information Centre at Lime Kiln Cottage is usually manned by volunteers from 10:00 – 17:00 hours (16:00 in winter).